trailer brakes quit working, please help
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
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trailer brakes quit working, please help
I have an '01 Excursion V-10. I use a Reese Brakeman Digital brake controller for my 18' car hauler. The last time I towed this trailer everything worked fine. Today, after I hooked up to the trailer the controller will only show a (.) when the brakes are applied. It normally will ONLY show (.) if the trailer is not hooked up at all.
My question is how do I go about troubleshooting this and in what order? Also if it helps the trailer does have it's own battery in case the trailer disconnects from the truck while in tow. Thanks for the help in advance.
Jon
My question is how do I go about troubleshooting this and in what order? Also if it helps the trailer does have it's own battery in case the trailer disconnects from the truck while in tow. Thanks for the help in advance.
Jon
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
First thing to check is use a multimeter to check voltage at the truck plug. Do you have lights on the trailer? Stop lamps work? Flashers? We have found 9 out of 10 times it's the trailer wiring that's bad....usually a ground connection.
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Freshman User
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I should have updated but i've found the problem and it was a ground problem on the trailer. Turns out BOTH grounds on BOTH axles were worn in two by rubbing on the axle during travel. Respliced the wires, routed them where it wouldn't happen again and I'm back in business thanks to you guys. THANKS!!
Jon
Jon
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
BINGO!
I kinda hate to say this, but a lot of the wiring I see on trailer brakes is NOT too swift looking. If you have the time, get under there and look for ways that you can secure your wiring using ZIPTIES, so that it doesn't just hang down under there in the airflow on the highway....
~Wolf sendz
I kinda hate to say this, but a lot of the wiring I see on trailer brakes is NOT too swift looking. If you have the time, get under there and look for ways that you can secure your wiring using ZIPTIES, so that it doesn't just hang down under there in the airflow on the highway....
~Wolf sendz
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Freshman User
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You're exactly right, I was not impressed when I looked underneath. Needless to say, after I respliced the ground wire I went straight to the drill and drilled holes just big enough for some small zipties. I shouldn't have this problem again, provided the zipties hold up 
Jon
Jon
